History of the Finger Lakes Chapter : By Rob Kidd

The Region...

The Finger Lakes Region of central New York State takes its name from eleven slender lakes running in a generally north-south direction through the Allegheny Plateau. When viewed from above, the five largest lakes resemble the outstretched fingers of a giant hand. Skaneateles Lake is the second-most easterly of the Finger Lakes and has become the unofficial home of the Finger Lakes Chapter of ACBS.

The history...

The Finger Lakes Chapter dates back to 1977, when founding member Ford Knight purchased his first wooden boat, a Morehouse inboard utility built by the Morehouse Boat Co. located on Cayuga Lake, the largest of the Finger Lakes. Mr. Knight’s family had always owned Morehouse boats and Ford’s enthusiasm for finally having one of his own was such that he wanted to put together an exhibit just for Morehouse boats. He rounded up a small group of Morehouse owners who then drove some 125 miles to Clayton, New York, to see about having a Morehouse display as part of the annual boat show at the Shipyard Museum (now the Antique Boat Museum).

They spoke with John Bradley who shared their enthusiasm but had to inform them that in 1977 their Morehouse boats did not meet the museum’s criteria to be considered antiques. John did, however, tell them about the recently formed Antique and Classic Boat Society and that their boats would be welcomed as classics there.
Back home, the small group held a meeting at The Deerhead Inn (an old speakeasy) just across the road from the Morehouse Boat Co. After much discussion, they decided to place ads in a couple of local papers seeking interest in putting together a wooden boat show in the Finger Lakes area. Response was good and at a second meeting also attended by Jim Brennan and the Marsden family, Syd Marsden spoke about the positive experience his family had had at the Antique Boat Show in Clayton and how he felt that the same thing could be done in the Finger Lakes. By the end of the meeting everyone agreed that it was time to form a Finger Lakes Chapter of ACBS. Shortly thereafter, Ford Knight contacted ACBS Founder Ray Nelson to see what steps needed to be taken to become a part of ACBS.

Not long afterward, a third meeting was held at the Deerhead Inn and an ACBS chapter application form was passed around requiring the signatures of fifteen prospective members and a listing of the boats they owned. They came up one signature short! Looking around the room, they spotted Allyn Morehouse, owner of the tavern who agreed to be the fifteenth applicant. Although related to the Morehouse brothers who owned the boat company of the same name, he listed his boat as a 1975 MFG outboard!

The small but growing group soon had their first wooden boat show in 1978 in Ithaca, NY, and later held their first Annual Dinner Meeting. That event was attended by Bill Willig who presented the group with a certificate welcoming them as the fifth chapter of ACBS.

The FLC Boat Show...

is held annually on the last full weekend of July and is a judged event. We feature a popular boat launching service where exhibitors are met at the launch ramp by our launch crew who carefully unload boats and then park cars and trailers for exhibitors so that they may enjoy the ride to town in their boat unconcerned about the disposition of their vehicle and trailer. At the close of the show on Sunday, the launch crew bring cars and trailers back to the ramp to reload the exhibitors’ boats. We have room for about 44 in-water displays with additional room in the adjacent park for land displays. A proposal for a new, larger, permanent dock and breakwater system would increase the number of slips and provide a safe harbor setting for the boat show.

Each year the Joint Planning Committee (FLC and Skaneateles Foundation) provides additional enjoyment for our visitors.  Young kids are given free model toy boats (with paint) to decorate as they please.  This popular activity allows these artists to take home their uniquely decorated craft.   Live musical entertainment gently emanates from the Clift Park gazebo on Saturday and Sunday.   Nautical knot tying classes occur both days.  The slow parade of exhibitors' boats by the Park's sea wall on Sunday is always a special treat.  For a fee, a photo cruise aboard the Judge Ben Wiles allows close up views and picture taking opportunities of many exhibitors' beautiful boats cruising near by.

Visit the Boat show page for more information.   As always, the Show's printed free program will have all activities and scheduled events listed.